How do you know if others can read your codes? 

Nearly every industry can rely on automatic data capture (ADC) to increase productivity, accuracy, and data handling efficiency.  But unreadable symbols or bar codes can lead to industry fines or other censures, strained customer relationships, and ultimately reduced profitability.

A successful read by one imager or scanner does not necessarily signify a quality symbol. Different brands of scanners or imagers read codes differently.  A verifier is a precision instrument that will measure the quality of the printed or directly-marked symbol against parameters defined by symbol various verification standards. The addition of a verification step within the manufacturing or shipping process can help you achieve the benefits of ADC and ensure readability throughout the supply chain.

Whether you're printing standard bar codes for retail, manufacturing or distribution, or encoding 2D marks directly on parts for the Department of Defense IUID (Item Unique Identification) program, you need to be 100% sure that your codes will be read correctly.

Who Needs Verification?

Every operation that has high costs associated with printing bad bar codes or encoding poor marks should have a verification system in place:

Suppliers to major retail chains—avoid fines for non-readable bar codes from Walmart, Target and others 
Manufacturers or distributors printing directly onto corrugated materials—ensure readability of the code against low contrast surfaces

Manufacturers using Direct Part Marking (DPM) to embed codes directly onto parts—track work-in-process and ensure the correct parts are going on the proper assemblies

Printing companies and imprint houses—avoid costly re-work of jobs by implementing a verification system before going to press

Medical and pharmaceutical suppliers—ensure properly marked product to avoid dispensation of incorrect materials

Chemical companies—ensure properly marked product to avoid costly fines, accidents and law suits

Automotive suppliers—ensure labels meet AIAG or OEM specifications

Mailing houses—check the quality of linear codes to meet the USPS specifications

Dept. of Defense (DoD) suppliers—encode IUID data into a Data Matrix symbol and apply directly to specific tangible items

Automated warehouses—route improperly-marked packages to avoid bottlenecks and stops

Benefits of Verification

• Reduce costs associated with returned products
• Increase the efficiency of your manufacturing process
• Allow preventative care of the symbol marking equipment
• Eliminate fines levied in some industries by noncompliance with symbol quality standards
• Real-time quality control
• Informative verification reports
• Real-time quality control

Don't open yourself up to failed reads, incorrect package marking and severe penalties from major retailers or manufacturers. If you are spending money on an Auto ID system with labeling, mobile computing, data collection and inventory control, take the extra steps to ensure that the bar codes for that system are readable.

BarCode ID Systems can get your verification process on track.  Contact a Systems Consultant today.